Resilient Drilling Assembly with Endmill for Swarf Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drilling technologies for removing obstacles in petroleum well tubing, such as valves, often result in the creation of large swarf particles that can damage equipment and disrupt well operations, and lack proper support for the drill bit, leading to inefficient and potentially damaging drilling processes.
Innovation Solution
A drilling assembly comprising a drill bit and a resiliently displaceable cutting assembly with an endmill featuring a central through hole complementary to the drill bit, supported by a spline drive system, which transfers weight from the drill bit to the endmill for efficient cutting and minimizes swarf production by cutting away obstacles from the center, reducing particle size and ensuring proper alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a drill bit is used to remove obstacles in well tubing, then drilling speed is improved, but large swarf particles are produced that can damage equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting assembly is divided into multiple cutting elements (endmill with peripheral cutting edges and center cutting element) that work together to segment the material removal process, producing smaller swarf particles while maintaining efficient drilling speed
Solution Approach 2:
The endmill acts as an intermediary between the drill bit and the obstacle material, cutting away the swarf produced by the drill bit and converting large particles into smaller, less harmful fragments
2Ease of operation
If a drill bit without lateral support is used on curved valve surfaces, then ease of operation is improved, but alignment precision deteriorates causing off-center holes
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting assembly is segmented into a support structure and cutting elements, where the support structure provides lateral stability to maintain alignment while allowing the cutting elements to freely engage the valve surface
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure acts as an intermediary between the drill bit and the curved valve surface, providing lateral guidance and maintaining centerline alignment while allowing the drill bit to operate freely on the valve surface
3Productivity
If full weight is applied to the drill bit, then drilling efficiency is improved, but drill bit damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting assembly is designed with dynamic load distribution, where the resilient member allows the cutting assembly to move axially and absorb shock loads, enabling full weight application while protecting the drill bit from damaging forces
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient member acts as an intermediary between the weight application and the drill bit, absorbing shock and distributing loads dynamically to protect the drill bit while maintaining drilling efficiency
4Object-generated harmful factors
If a hole saw with capturing means is used, then swarf capture is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The endmill converts the harmful large swarf particles produced by drilling into beneficial small particles that are easily managed and do not pose a risk to well operations, eliminating the need for complex capturing mechanisms
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables efficient and safe removal of obstacles by minimizing swarf production, protecting the drill bit, and maintaining alignment, thereby reducing operational disruptions and equipment damage while allowing for the use of larger diameter drill bits.
Implementation Method 1
The cutting assembly is resiliently displaceable to the drill bit along the center axis
Implementation Method 2
resilient member (spring) between the cutting assembly and an adapter at a connection end portion of the drilling assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A drilling assembly comprises a drill bit and a cutting assembly. The drilling assembly forms a longitudinal center axis. The drill bit and cutting assembly fastened to a rotatable spline drive assembly. The cutting assembly being resiliently displaceable to the drill bit along the center axis such that in a first position the drill bit is surrounded by the cutting assembly and in a second position a free end portion of the drill bit projects beyond the cutting assembly along the center axis. The cutting assembly comprises an endmill which comprises a central through hole which is complementary to the outer diameter of the drill bit. A method for cutting swarfs created by drilling with the endmill is described.